Aromatic nebulizing diffuser

ABSTRACT

An aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel, a lower housing, power adapter, an electric fan, a speaker, a music control circuit, an ultrasonic oscillator carrying a light source, a fluid container, a waster shutter and a transmissive cover. When electrically connected, the ultrasonic oscillator is started to generate high frequency sound waves and to cause atomization of the aromatic fluid contained in the fluid container so that a mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops is seen through the transmissive cover and at the same time, the music control circuit outputs a music through the speaker and the light source emits a mixed color of light to light up the mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops that is forced out of the hole on the top side of the transmissive cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an aromatic nebulizing diffuser andmore particularly, to such a nebulizing diffuser that provides sound,lighting and visual effects.

2. Description of the Related Art

A known essential oil diffuser uses an ultrasonic oscillator to generatea high ultrasonic energy facilitating atomization of an essential oilfor application. Separation of electric charges in falling rain, causedby breaking up of the water droplets, the drops becoming positivelycharged and the air negatively charged. This separation of electriccharges accompanying the aerodynamic breakup of water drops is known asspray electrification, the waterfall effect or Lenard effect.Conventional aromatic nebulizing diffusers simply produce an upwardlyflying mist of aromatic gas. They cannot simulate the natural visualeffect of a flying mist caused by the impact of a waterfall.

A known aromatic nebulizing diffuser utilizes a vibrator to vibrate amixture of essential oil and water in producing a mist of fine drops ofthe mixture of essential oil and water. After a certain period of use,the inside of the diffuser will be contaminated with essential oilstains. In this case, the diffuser must be cleaned so as not to lowerthe nebulizing performance. However, it is inconvenient to assemble anddisassemble the diffuser, i.e., the cleaning work of this design ofaromatic nebulizing diffuser is complicated.

There is known another structure of aromatic nebulizing diffuser thatutilizes an ultrasonic oscillator to oscillate an aromatic fluid inproducing a mist of fine drops of aromatic fluid. During oscillation ofthe ultrasonic oscillator, the aromatic fluid may leaks into the lowerpart of the diffuser to wet the internal electronic components and othermechanism, causing damage or lowering the performance.

There is known still another design of aromatic nebulizing diffuser inwhich stirring of excessive fluid above the oscillator interferes withformation of mist, lowering the generation of mist.

There are known some other aromatic nebulizing diffusers which provide alighting effect. However, the lighting effect is not attractive indaylight. Further, the non-transmissive housing does not facilitateviewing of a mist accompanying with a colorful change of light.

Further, conventional aromatic nebulizing diffusers commonly have alimited internal space and a small flow passage that guides a forcedflow of air to induce a mist, in consequence, the amount of flying mistis limited. Therefore, an improvement on the flow passage to facilitatethe formation of a mist is expected.

In recent years, tourist hotel industry introduces an aromatic soothingair environment by means of utilizing the air conditioning system tospread an aromatic gas into the air. However, the engineering of thisdesign is complicated and requires a big amount of investment, notsuitable for ordinary consumers.

There is known still another aromatic nebulizing diffuser, whichutilizes pressure means to force an essential oil and water mixture intoa thin line of water-column in an internal cavity, for enabling the thinline of water-column to be diffused into a mist and ejected out of thetop side of the internal cavity. This design rapidly diffuses a mist ofessential oil and water mixture, however this design of aromaticnebulizing diffuser is less precision and consumes essential oilrapidly, and therefore it is not widely accepted by consumers

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is main object of the present invention to provide an aromaticnebulizing diffuser, which drives an ultrasonic oscillator to generatehigh frequency sound waves and to cause atomization of an aromatic fluidso that a mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops is seenthrough a transmissive cover and at the same time, a music controlcircuit outputs a music through the speaker and a light source emits amixed color of light to light up the mist of aerodynamic breakup of finewater drops that is forced out of a hole on the top side of atransmissive cover.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, an aromaticnebulizing diffuser comprises a base panel having air holes, an electricfan mounted on the base panel corresponding a part of the air holes, anultrasonic oscillator having a control circuit therein and carrying awater level sensor and a light source, a power adapter electricallyconnected to the electric fan and the ultrasonic oscillator, a lowerhousing affixed to the bottom panel and defining an accommodationchamber that accommodates the power adapter, the electric fan and theultrasonic oscillator, a fluid container, which has a bottom wall with acenter opening for holding the ultrasonic oscillator, an uprightperipheral wall joined to the border of the bottom wall and definingwith the upright peripheral wall a fluid chamber, a pressure-chargingairway vertically mounted therein and a flange extended from the bottomwall of the fluid container around the upright peripheral wall, thepressure-charging airway having a gas intake port extending through thebottom wall of the fluid container and vertically aimed at the electricfan, a gas exhaust port suspending in the fluid chamber and an innerdiameter gradually reducing from the gas intake port toward the gasexhaust port, a water shutter, which has a pipe connector and a tongueplate, the pipe connector having a peripheral wall and two retainingrods surrounded by the peripheral wall and tightly fitted into the gasexhaust port of the pressure-charging airway and defining withperipheral wall at least one back-ejection puff port, and a transmissivecover, which has an open end capped on the fluid container and stoppedbetween the flange of the fluid container and a part of the lowerhousing.

The transmissive cover of the aromatic nebulizing diffuser is shapedlike a classic lantern that holds a mist of aerodynamic breakup of finewater drops during operation of the ultrasonic oscillator. Further, anegative ion generator is provided to generate negative ions when a mistof aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops is produced in thetransmissive cover and the music control circuit is outputting a musicthrough the speaker and the light source is emitting a mixed color oflight to light up the mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops,thereby offering a very delightfully warm and romantic atmosphere.

Further, the transmissive cover and the water shutter can be quicklymounted or dismounted without tools, facilitating cleaning.

Further, when an excessive amount of the mist of aerodynamic breakup offine water drops is produced, condensed fluid flows along the top sideof the ultrasonic oscillator to the inside of the fluid container, andthe fluid is well sealed and prohibited from leaking into the inside ofthe lower housing to damage the internal electronic component parts.

Further, the invention eliminates the use of a specific essential bottleto contain an essential oil or any aromatic fluid. An aromatic fluid canbe directly filled through the hole on the top side of the transmissivecover into the inside of the fluid chamber in the fluid container.Through the transmissive cover, the amount of the aromatic fluidcontained in the fluid container can be checked visually.

Further, the design of the airway causes the pressure of currents of airbeing transferred by the electric fan into the fluid container to beincreased. When the currents of air flow out of the airway, they arebaffled by the pipe connector of the water shutter and forced to ejectdownwards out of the back-ejection puff port into the inside of thefluid chamber of the fluid container, causing the aromatic fluid to flyin drops and forcing the produced aerodynamic breakup of fine waterdrops to flow out of the hole of the transmissive cover rapidly.Therefore, the invention eliminates the drawback of the prior artdesigns of diffusing an essential oil in a slow motion where diffusedfine drops tend to be gathered together and condensed, lowering theformation of a mist.

Further, the aromatic fluid to be filled in the fluid container can befragrant fluid, water, essential oil, perfume, natural plant and flowerextract fluids or their combinations.

Further, the transmissive cover can be made of a transparent orsemi-transparent material, such as glass, frosted glass, acrylic,plastics or ceramic in a color design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an aromatic nebulizing diffuser inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the aromatic nebulizing diffuser inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the aromatic nebulizing diffuser inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the aromatic nebulizing diffuserin accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an oblique bottom elevation of the water shutter of thearomatic nebulizing diffuser in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an aromatic nebulizing diffuser inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, showing anegative ion generator used therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an aromatic nebulizing diffuser inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is showncomprising a base panel 10 having a plurality of air holes 13, anelectric fan 40 mounted on the base panel 10 above a part of the airholes 13, an ultrasonic oscillator 70, which has a water level sensor401 and a light source 702 mounted on the top side thereof andelectrically connected to the internal control circuit (not shown)thereof, a power adapter 30 electrically connected to the electric fan40 and the ultrasonic oscillator 70, a lower housing 20, which surroundsthe top side of the base panel 10 and defines therein an accommodationchamber 21 that accommodates the power adapter 30, the electric fan 40and the ultrasonic oscillator 70, and a fluid container 80, which has abottom wall 81, an upright peripheral wall 82 joined to the border ofthe bottom wall 81 and defining with the upright peripheral wall 82 afluid chamber 83. The fluid container 80 can be made of a transparent orsemi-transparent material.

Referring also to FIG. 4, the fluid container 80 has a pressure-chargingairway 85 vertically mounted therein. The pressure-charging airway 85has a gas intake port 851 at its one end and a gas exhaust port 852 atits opposite end. The pressure-charging airway 85 has a diametergradually reducing from the gas intake port 851 toward the gas exhaustport 852. The gas exhaust port 852 suspends in the fluid chamber 83. Thegas intake port 851 extends through the bottom wall 81 and verticallyaimed at the electric fan 40. The bottom wall 81 has a center opening 84located on the center for the mounting of the ultrasonic oscillator 70.The fluid container 80 further has a flange 86 extended from the bottomwall 81 around the upright peripheral wall 82.

Referring to FIG. 5, the aromatic nebulizing diffuser further comprisesa water shutter 100 and a transmissive cover 110. The water shutter 100comprises a pipe connector 101 and a tongue plate 102. The pipeconnector 101 has a peripheral wall 103 and two retaining rods 104surrounded by the peripheral wall 103. The two retaining rods 104 andthe peripheral wall 103 define at least one back-ejection puff port 105.The two retaining rods 104 are tightly fitted into the gas exhaust port852 so that the tongue plate 102 extends radially to shield theultrasonic oscillator 70 and the fluid filled in the fluid chamber 83.The transmissive cover 110 has an open end 115 disposed at one end, anda hole 113 disposed at the other side opposite to the open end 115. Bymeans of the open end 115, the transmissive cover 110 is capped on thefluid container 80. When the transmissive cover 110 is capped on thefluid container 80, the open end 115 is stopped between the flange 86 ofthe fluid container 80 and a part of the lower housing 20. Thus,mounting and dismounting of the transmissive cover 110 and the watershutter 120 are easy without tools, facilitating cleaning.

Based on the aforesaid arrangement, the user needs not to open the coverand then to put an essence bottle in the aromatic nebulizing diffuserlike the prior art design. The invention allows aromatic substances(essential oil) and water to be directly filled through the hole 113into the fluid chamber 83 in the water container 80.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 again, the transmissive cover 110 has arubber water seal ring 116 and a tension ring 117 mounted therein. Therubber water seal ring 116 defines therein an annular inside locatinggroove 116 a. The tension ring 117 is a C-shaped ring having an opening117 a and a diameter greater than the annular inside locating groove 116a. Thus, by means of compression the opening 117 a to shorten thediameter of the tension ring 117, the tension ring 117 can be put in theannular inside locating groove 116 a. After installation of the tensionring 117 in the annular inside locating groove 116 a, the tension ring117 releases tension to support the rubber water seal ring 116 in shape,forcing the rubber water seal ring 116 in close contact with the insidewall of the transmissive cover 110 to avoid fluid leakage, which mayaffect the performance of or damage the electronic component parts inthe lower part of the aromatic nebulizing diffuser, due to stirring ofthe fluid by the oscillation of the ultrasonic oscillator 70 ordeterioration damage of the rubber water seal ring 116 caused by themachine or external environment. Therefore, the waterproof effect of thearomatic nebulizing diffuser is superior to conventional designs.

Thus, when electrically connected, aromatic fluid is filled through thehole 113 into the fluid chamber 83 in the water container 80, and theultrasonic oscillator 70 is started to generate high frequency soundwaves. At this time, atomization of the aromatic fluid is produced, anda mist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops in the inside space111 of the transmissive cover 110 is seen through the transmissive cover110. At the same time, the light source 702 emits light to light up themist of aerodynamic breakup of fine water drops that is forced out ofthe hole 113 of the transmissive cover 110.

Further, the ultrasonic oscillator 70 has an outside annular flange 703extending around the periphery, and a water seal ring 71 mounted on theoutside annular flange 703. The bottom wall 81 of the fluid container 80has an inside annular groove 841 formed in the center opening 84. Afterinstallation of the ultrasonic oscillator 70 in the center opening 84,the water seal ring 71 is engaged into the inside annular groove 841 toseal the gap, avoiding fluid leakage.

The ultrasonic oscillator 70 oscillates at a frequency over severalhundred thousands of times or several million times per second tooscillate the aromatic fluid, causing an oscillating water column to beproduced and ejected upwards. At this time, the circular tongue plate102 of the water shutter 100 depresses the upwardly ejecting oscillatingwater column, thus a big amount of aerodynamic breakup of water drops isproduced to fill up the inside space 111 of the transmissive cover 110.The electric fan 40 transfers currents of air to the gas intake port 851of the pressure-charging airway 85 toward the gas exhaust port 852.Because the airway 85 has a diameter gradually reducing from the gasintake port 851 toward the gas exhaust port 852, the flow of air isconcentrated and the pressure of the flow of air is increased. When theconcentrated flow of air flows out of the airway 85, it is baffled bythe pipe connector 101 of the water shutter 100 and forced to ejectdownwards out of the back-ejection puff port 105 into the inside of thefluid chamber 83 of the fluid container 80, causing the aromatic fluidto fly in drops and forcing the produced aerodynamic breakup of finewater drops to flow out of the hole 113 rapidly.

Further, the light source 702 at the top side of the ultrasonicoscillator 70 is preferably a LED light comprising a red LED chip, ablue LED chip and a green LED chip, or a multi-color LED chip that emitsred, blue and green light. By means of the control of the internalcontrol circuit of the ultrasonic oscillator 70, the light source 702emits a mixed light of multiple colors to light up the transmissivecover 119 and the internal aromatic fluid and mist of fine drops ofaromatic fluid. At the same time, the internal control circuit of theultrasonic oscillator 70 controls flashing and color change of the lightsource 702 subject to the rhythm of an audio signal received from amusic control circuit 60, creating fantastic visual, sound and lightingeffects.

The aforesaid lower housing 20 comprises a water seal ring 25, an upperinside annular groove 23, a lower inside annular groove 24 and a powerhole 22 corresponding to the power adapter 30. The water seal ring 25 issqueezed in between the flange 86 of the fluid container 80 and theupper inside annular groove 23 of the aforesaid lower housing 20. Theaforesaid base panel 10 is press-fitted into the lower inside annulargroove 24 of the lower housing 20. The lower housing 20 can be made ofceramics, wood, glass, plastics or glass fibers. The base panel 10 has aplurality of hollow columns 12. The fluid container 80 has a pluralityof bottom mounting rods 87 respectively plugged into the hollow columns12 and fixedly secured thereto with screws (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 1˜3 again, the aromatic nebulizing diffuser furthercomprises a speaker 50 mounted on the base panel 10 over a part of theair holes 13 and the aforesaid music control circuit 60 that provides anaudio signal for output through the speaker 50 to produce a sound effectin accompany with the aforesaid visual and lighting effects.

The music control circuit 60 has storage means for the storage ofnatural sound, music, human voices, animal calls, bird's song and waterand sound of running water subject to personal's preference to join withthe aforesaid visual and lighting effects, creating a personalinitiative environment.

Referring also to FIG. 5, the aromatic nebulizing diffuser furthercomprises an audio input connector 31. The audio input device 31 isfixedly mounted on the base panel 10 to receive audio signal from anexternal music player or system. The lower housing 20 further has aconnector hole 26 corresponding to the audio input connector 31. Theaudio input connector 31 can be a USB jack, music player connector,palmtop electronic music player connector, or telephone jack.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aromatic nebulizing diffuser in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment has anegative ion generator 90 mounted on the base panel 10 and electricallyconnected to the power adapter 30 for generating negative ions.

The base panel 10 according to this second embodiment has a plurality offoot members 14 for supporting the aromatic nebulizing diffuser on atabletop or the floor to keep the air holes 13 apart from the tabletopor floor at a distance so that outside currents of air can be drawnthrough the air holes 13 into the inside of the aromatic nebulizingdiffuser and sound waves can be driven out of the aromatic nebulizingdiffuser through the air holes 13 smoothly. Keeping the air holes 13apart from the tabletop or floor at a distance also facilitatesdissipation of heat.

Further, the aforesaid water level sensor 701 is disposed slightly abovethe elevation of the bottom wall 81 of the fluid container 80. When thelevel of the aromatic fluid in the fluid container 80 dropped below theelevation of the top side of the water level sensor 701, the water levelsensor 701 immediately gives a signal to the internal control circuit ofthe ultrasonic oscillator 70 to cut off power supply from the ultrasonicoscillator 70, avoiding damage.

When compared to the prior art designs that simple enables people toenjoy a pleasant smell, the aromatic nebulizing diffuser enables peopleto view a mist in the transmissive cover 110 while generating a pleasantsmell and negative ions and producing fantastic visual, sound andlighting effects. Therefore, the invention offers people a verydelightfully warm and romantic atmosphere.

A prototype of aromatic nebulizing diffuser has been constructed withthe features of FIGS. 1˜6. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser functionssmoothly to provide all of the features disclosed earlier.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. An aromatic nebulizing diffuser, comprising: a base panel, said basepanel having air holes cut through top and bottom sides thereof; anelectric fan mounted on said base panel corresponding a part of said airholes; an ultrasonic oscillator having a control circuit therein, saidultrasonic oscillator carrying a water level sensor and a light sourceon a top side thereof, said water level sensor and said light sourcebeing electrically connected to the control circuit of said ultrasonicoscillator; a power adapter electrically connected to said electric fanand said ultrasonic oscillator; a lower housing affixed to said bottompanel and defining an accommodation chamber that accommodates said poweradapter, said electric fan and said ultrasonic oscillator; a fluidcontainer holding a fluid, said fluid container having a bottom wall, anupright peripheral wall joined to the border of said bottom wall anddefining with the upright peripheral wall a fluid chamber, apressure-charging airway vertically mounted therein and a flangeextended from the bottom wall of said fluid container around saidupright peripheral wall, said pressure-charging airway having a gasintake port at one end thereof and a gas exhaust port at an opposite endthereof, said pressure-charging airway having a diameter graduallyreducing from said gas intake port toward said gas exhaust port, saidgas exhaust port suspending in said fluid chamber, said gas intake portextending through the bottom wall of said fluid container and verticallyaimed at said electric fan, the bottom wall of said fluid containerhaving a center opening that holds said ultrasonic oscillator; a watershutter, said water shutter comprising a pipe connector and a tongueplate, said pipe connector having a peripheral wall and two retainingrods surrounded by the peripheral wall, the two retaining rods andperipheral wall of said pipe connector defining at least oneback-ejection puff port, said two retaining rods being tightly fittedinto said gas exhaust port of said pressure-charging airway so that saidtongue plate extends radially to shield said ultrasonic oscillator andthe fluid contained in said fluid chamber; and a transmissive covercapped on said fluid container, said transmissive cover having an openend and a hole opposite to said open end, said open end being stoppedbetween the flange of said fluid container and a part of said lowerhousing.
 2. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a music control circuit electrically connected tosaid ultrasonic oscillator such that the control circuit of saidultrasonic oscillator receives an audio signal from said music controlcircuit and controls flashing and light emitting of said light sourcesubject to the rhythm of the audio signal received from said musiccontrol circuit, said music control circuit having storage means for thestorage of natural sound, music, human voices, animal calls, bird's songand water and sound of running water.
 3. The aromatic nebulizingdiffuser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmissive cover has arubber water seal ring and a tension ring mounted therein, said rubberwater seal ring defining therein an annular inside locating groove, saidtension ring being a C-shaped ring having an opening and a diametergreater than said annular inside locating groove of said rubber waterseal ring, said tension ring being set in the annular inside locatinggroove of said rubber water seal ring to support said rubber water sealring in close contact with and inside wall of said transmissive cover.4. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1, wherein thebottom wall of said fluid container has an inside annular groove formedin the center opening thereof; said ultrasonic oscillator has an outsideannular flange extending around the periphery thereof and a water sealring mounted on the outside annular flange and engaged into the insideannular groove in the center opening of the bottom wall of said fluidcontainer.
 5. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1,wherein said lower housing comprises an upper inside annular groove, awater seal ring squeezed in between the flange of said fluid containerand the upper inside annular groove of said lower housing, a lowerinside annular groove, which receives said base panel.
 6. The aromaticnebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower housing isselected from a material group of ceramics, wood, glass, plastics andglass fibers.
 7. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1,wherein said fluid contained in said fluid container is selected fromthe group of fragrant fluid, water, essential oil, perfume, naturalplant and flower extract fluids and their combinations.
 8. The aromaticnebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base panel has aplurality of hollow columns; said fluid container has a plurality ofbottom mounting rods respectively plugged into said hollow columns ofsaid base panel and fixedly secured thereto with screws.
 9. The aromaticnebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a speakermounted on said base panel over a part of said air holes and a musiccontrol circuit electrically connected to said speaker and adapted toprovide an audio signal for output through said speaker.
 10. Thearomatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluidcontainer is selectively prepared from a transparent or semi-transparentmaterial.
 11. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1,further comprising audio input connector adapted to receive an audiosignal from an external signal source.
 12. The aromatic nebulizingdiffuser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a negative iongenerator.
 13. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 1,wherein said light source is a LED (light emitting diode) light source.14. The aromatic nebulizing diffuser as claimed in claim 13, whereinsaid light source is controllable by the control circuit of saidultrasonic oscillator to emit red light, blue light and green light.